Comments on the Draft Resolution of the Provincial People's Council on handling facilities that do not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting. Attending were representatives of leaders of relevant departments, branches and sectors.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: D.C.

1,392 facilities do not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements

At the meeting, the representative of the Provincial Police informed that, through review, in Nghe An province there are 1,392 establishments that do not meet the requirements onFire protectionput into use before the 2001 Fire Prevention and Fighting Law took effect and 4 petrol and oil stores that did not ensure fire safety distances were located in residential areas (common violations include: production and business establishments, markets, warehouses of goods with high risk of fire and explosion; offices of some state agencies; public educational institutions...).

Scene of the fire at Fill tea room, No. 146, Dinh Cong Trang Street (Vinh City) at 0:00 on June 15, killing 6 people. Photo: Document

Accordingly, with the content of the Draft Resolution, the Provincial Police Department advised and proposed 2 contents regulating the handling of facilities that do not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements in Nghe An province, including: Regulations on handling facilities in the province that do not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements and were put into use before the effective date of the 2001 Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting.

Regulations on handling of facilities in the form of warehouses and processing facilities for petroleum products, gas, and chemicals with fire and explosion hazards located in residential areas or crowded places that do not ensure fire safety distance.

Representative of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police presented the report. Photo: D.C.

It is necessary to issue a draft Resolution.

At the meeting, all delegates agreed that it was necessary to issue a Draft Resolution. Accordingly, it clearly stated the viewpoint that facilities that do not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements in the province and are put into use before the effective date of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Law No. 27/2001/QH10 must take remedial measures for each content that does not ensure fire prevention and fighting safety: Rearrange the premises, functions; traffic for fire fighting and rescue; safe distance for fire prevention and fighting; fire-resistant steps; escape routes; prevent fire spread; equip fire prevention and fighting equipment and technical systems related to fire prevention and fighting...

At the same time, the facility owner must develop a plan and method of moving out of residential areas and crowded places to ensure a safe distance for fire prevention and control and must be approved by competent authorities.

Delegates from departments and branches participated in giving opinions at the meeting. Photo: D.C.

During the time of carrying out procedures for relocation, the facility owner must reduce the volume and storage volume of flammable and explosive substances and goods; equip additional fire prevention and fighting equipment and technical systems; and regularly maintain fire prevention and fighting safety conditions. Operation is only allowed when fully complying with standards, regulations, and ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety distances.

Warehouses and processing facilities for petroleum products, gas, and flammable and explosive chemicals, after being moved out of residential areas and crowded places, must ensure technical requirements on fire prevention and fighting and other technical factors according to relevant specialized standards and regulations.

However, the issue that many delegates are confused about is that for facilities that do not ensure fire safety distance, it is necessary to calculate the relocation plan, plan the location, have mechanisms, and support funding... For agencies under the State budget, the budget must be approved, not to mention the implementation and completion time... Only then will the draft Resolution be feasible.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee concluded the meeting. Photo: D.C.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee stated clearly that the process and procedures for issuing the draft must ensure the steps. Accordingly, to complete the draft, the Provincial Police need to coordinate with relevant departments, branches and sectors, develop a relocation plan, support content (if any); specific roadmap and implementation time.

Note that it is necessary to separate two groups of facilities that do not meet fire safety requirements, which are production and export processing units and facilities that are working buildings of some state agencies, educational institutions... that do not meet the mandatory fire safety conditions. For the second group, it is necessary to have a policy framework, allocate additional budget in addition to renovating and repairing facilities, and have a fire safety funding plan.